Inten seeks hefty hike in budget<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Social Services has proposed a
\nhefty increase in its 1996\/1997 budget to take into account the
\ngrowing demand for services on child and teenage guidance.<\/p>\n
During a hearing with the House of Representatives on Tuesday
\nevening, Minister Inten Soeweno said her department will need Rp
\n221 billion (US$97.3 million) in routine spending and Rp 141
\nbillion ($62.1 million) in development spending in the fiscal
\nyear which begins next April 1.<\/p>\n
The figures represent a 79.8 percent and 51.68 percent
\nincrease respectively over those budgeted for the current year.<\/p>\n
The biggest increase, as much as 639.42 percent which amounts
\nto Rp 2.5 billion (US$1.1 million), is required for the program
\nof child and teenage guidance.<\/p>\n
The next biggest increases are for social research and
\ndevelopment, and housing and resettlement rehabilitation.<\/p>\n
An increase for other programs -- such as aid for victims of
\nnatural disasters, training for ministry's officials and
\nrehabilitation -- range from 14 to 60 percent.<\/p>\n
The program for child and teenage guidance all over the
\ncountry will be focused on children under five years of age whose
\nmothers undertake outdoor employment.<\/p>\n
The 1995\/1996 budget for such a program was used only for the
\ntraining of child care instructors.<\/p>\n
For the next fiscal year, funds will be provided for an
\nimproved program and facilities of child care centers and more
\nqualified instructors.<\/p>\n
Despite the high increase in the next budget demand, the
\nminister acknowledged that spending in the current fiscal year
\nhas been below target due to a lack of public participation in
\nenhancing the social welfare programs.<\/p>\n
"Public participation in social welfare has been very limited
\nboth in quality and quantity," Inten told the 40 legislators of
\nCommission VIII, which oversees social welfare, on Tuesday. (03)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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